Anton Alvarez Alando must wait for Weston-super-Mare debut

Weston-super-Mare have been granted international clearance to play new signing Anton Alvarez Alando, but the Spaniard will have to wait a bit longer to make his debut.

Today's match against Dorchester Town at the Woodspring Stadium has been postponed following yesterday's snowfall.

Although the the midfielder agreed to join the Seagulls last month, he has been kept waiting by red tape during the busy Christmas and New Year period.

But Alando has finally been granted international clearance and Weston manager Craig Laird confirmed he would have been involved against the Magpies had the weather not intervened.

Laird said of the midfielder, who played for him at Bridgwater four seasons ago while studying in Bristol: “Anton has been training with us, but unable to play. It has been a frustrating wait, but he has now been cleared and we have permission to play him. He will go straight into the squad.”

Laird also welcomes back Manny Parry, the defender signed on loan from Premier League Stoke City earlier this season.

The 21-year-old centre-back returned to the Potteries shortly before Christmas, but is now back at Weston after Laird negotiated a new loan deal.

He said: “Having Manny back will relieve the pressure on our regular centre-halves, Jamie Laird and Matt Villis. Those two have played most of the games and it is taking a toll.

“We need Manny to provide competition and to give the others a rest. He is a good player and he will definitely have a part to play between now and the end of the season.”

On the fringe of the play-off places, Weston will be looking to bounce back following back-to-back defeats to Bath and Hayes &Yeading.

But Laird is not overly concerned by recent results. He explained: “If we were letting in loads of goals and not creating chances at the other end of the pitch, I would be worried.

“But we are playing well and are being punished for failings in both penalty areas. I’m sure we will be fine, providing we take our chances and tighten up a bit at the back.”